FRANK WARREN PROVIDES UPDATE ON DUBOIS VS WARDLEY 2

Image credit: Queensberry

Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley are expected to share the ring for a second time before this year is out.

Wardley was elevated to WBO champion before the contest and started well, knocking Dubois down twice early before the former IBF ruler could find his feet.

However, as the rounds went on, ‘DDD’ began landing big shots and by the 11th round had bloodied Wardley’s nose. The Ipswich man looked out on his feet and was returning fewer and fewer shots, which is why the referee stopped the contest.

The win saw Dubois, who is now 28, rebound from his second loss to Oleksandr Usyk in July 2025 and hand Wardley the first defeat of his career, with the pair now set to do battle again after Wardley activated his rematch clause.

Speaking to Playbook Boxing, Warren expressed his excitement at the rematch.

“Great fight. Great fight the first time. The second one is going to be competitive.”

He then explained what he makes of Wardley, who is now 31, returning to the ring so soon after such a brutal fight.

“We’ll find out in October. He’s hurt Daniel twice and put him down twice and Daniel got himself back into it, great discipline, and boxed extremely well and showed what he is about. I think Fabio, in his head, must feel the fact that he hurt him, he’s capable of stopping him. He’s done it bar one to everyone he’s fought.”

Wardley and his team have suggested he is capable of making the necessary changes to get revenge in the fight, which is likely to take place in October.

Wardley’s only previous rematch saw him get a first-round KO win after drawing with Frazer Clarke in their first contest in 2025.

- Kristan Caryl

MOSES ITAUMA AND FILIP HRGOVIC TO FIGHT FOR VACANT IBF TITLE, FRANK SANCHEZ PAID TO STEP ASIDE

Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic square up on June 22, 2026

Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic, set to collide on August 29 at London, England’s O2 Arena, will now be fighting for the vacant IBF heavyweight title.

No. 3-ranked Itauma, 14-0 (12 KOs), had been ordered by the sanctioning body to face leading IBF contender, Frank Sanchez, after the bout with Hrgovic had already been signed and announced. And with the Croatian rated fourth by the organization, it has been agreed that they can instead do battle for the belt on the condition that the winner meets Sanchez in their first defense.

“We paid [Sanchez] some money,” promoter Frank Warren told the BBC. “We said whoever wins the fight, you’re not losing out and you’ll get the opportunity to fight for the title against the winner.”

The 34-year-old Cuban, 26-1 (19 KOs), had achieved mandatory status with the IBF by knocking out Richard Torrez Jnr in two rounds in May.

Hrgovic, 20-1 (15 KOs), is riding a three-fight win streak – beating Joe Joyce, David Adeleye and Dave Allen – and is regarded as 21-year-old Itauma’s toughest test to date.

Presuming Itauma-Hrgovic isn’t a draw, it means that Warren’s Queensberry Promotions – who handle both Itauma and Hrgovic, as well as WBC boss Agit Kabayel and WBO beltholder Daniel Dubois – will promote three of the four heavyweight beltholders come the end of the month. The WBA titlist, Murat Gassiev, had previously been expected to face Itauma later in the year.

"A lot of people have high expectations of [Itauma] as I have, by the way," Warren said. "We signed him when he was 16. He was an amateur. We sponsored him, and he turned professional with us.

"And he's been amazing and sort of taken the world by storm.”

The influx of heavyweight beltholders can of course be explained by Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to relinquish his three titles in June. Though the 39-year-old is plotting one last fight – likely against Deontay Wilder – the Ukrainian’s days of fighting elite opposition are over, it seems.

Kabayel and Gassiev saw their statuses rise by virtue of Usyk’s decision to step down. Dubois defeated Fabio Wardley to claim his belt after Wardley was handed the championship when Usyk gave up the WBO title last year.

The winner of Itauma-Hrgovic will be the first to claim one of Usyk’s old belts in the ring.

- BoxingScene 

DEREK CHISORA MAKES 'EARLY' KO PREDICTION FOR DUBOIS VS WARDLEY REMATCH

Daniel Dubois is set to rematch Fabio Wardley before the year is out, and Derek Chisora only sees it going one way.

The first fight between these two British heavyweights came in Manchester back in May and saw Wardley defending his WBO title for the first time. He had not won the belt in the ring, but had been promoted to full champion after Oleksandr Usyk vacated it earlier in the year.

Wardley started fast and had Dubois down on the canvas twice in the early rounds, but then failed to capitalise on that success. As ‘DDD” got back into the contest, he began landing more and more of his ramrod jabs and big right hands, bloodying Wardley’s nose badly in the process.

Eventually, although Wardley was never put down, the referee stopped the fight in the 11th round, but the Ipswich man has since reactivated his rematch clause to take on his rival again.

Speaking to Seconds Out, fellow heavyweight contender Chisora sided with Dubois when the pair fight again.

“What is Fabio Wardley going to do that is different from the first fight? That’s what you have to ask yourself. The same thing is going to happen, his nose is going to pop, I think the rematch will end earlier than before.

“I love Fabio, from white collar boxing, to come in the game, become a heavyweight champion, but when he boxed a fighter that was on game, he lost. I don’t see him troubling Daniel right now. Again, he has to change something in his game completely to trouble Daniel. Daniel is going to improve and get better.”

Wardley had built up good momentum with stoppage wins over Joseph Parker, Justis Huni and Fraser Clarke, but Dubois is now the man in form and a two-time world champion, with their rematch expected for some time in the autumn.

- Kristan Caryl

MOSES ITAUMA SET TO RETURN AGAINST FILIP HRGOVIC AS DATE AND LOCATION REVEALED

Perhaps the most exciting prospect in world boxing, Moses Itauma, is set to make his much-anticipated return to the ring in a huge step-up in opposition.

The highly-rated Brit was last in action back in March when he became the first man to stop durable American heavyweight Jermaine Franklin in the fifth round of their clash at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester.

Itauma has had an impressive start to his professional career and remains unbeaten in 14 contests, producing victories over the likes of Mariusz Wach, Demsey McKean and Dillian Whyte since his debut in January of 2023.

The 21-year-old from Kent now looks to take the next step towards becoming a world heavyweight champion as he prepares to tackle the toughest test of his career to date.

As reported by Sky Sports Boxing, Itauma will lock horns with Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday August 29, with a launch press conference expected to take place in the next couple of days.

Hrgovic could pose a serious threat to Itauma having suffered just one career defeat so far, an eighth round stoppage to reigning WBO world heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois in June of 2024.

The hard-hitting Croatian made his return to the ring last month when he proved to be too much for popular British heavyweight Dave Allen, stopping him in the third round of their clash at the Eco-Power Stadium in Doncaster, England.

Whilst he is faced with what is certain to be the toughest test of his career, a victory for Itauma will see him move into pole position for a world title shot, which could come against WBO champion Dubois.

- Kailem Lowe

DANIEL DUBOIS BECOMES WBO HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION DEFEARING FABIO WARDLEY BY 11TH ROUND KNOCKOUT

 

Credit: Richard Sellers/PA Wire

Daniel Dubois is now a two-time heavyweight world champion.

The 28 year old from Greenwich survived two knockdowns, the first after just 10 seconds, to beat Fabio Wardley in the 11th round of a thrilling fight in Manchester. Dubois now holds the WBO version of the heavyweight title.

The professional boxer weathered the early onslaught and started to land some punishing shots of his own, leaving Wardley’s face bloodied and battered.

The referee ended the match at the start of the penultimate round.

Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois during their WBO heavyweight title bout at Co-op Live, Manchester.
Credit: Richard Sellers/PA Wire

Dubois claims he called on his "warrior spirit" in the ring. He said:

“I had to get back up, bounce it off and come back harder. I’m a warrior.

“I had to pull it out the bag and rely on (the jab) and use all of my skills. What a great fight, what a great battle. But, I’m number one again.”

Dubois added, “I want to grow from this fight, improve and come back even better and go on a reign as champion again.”

The world champion halted Wardley’s fairytale run from white-collar boxer to WBO title holder, and quietened critics who have questioned his spirit.

Fabio Wardley lost out on his hopes of winning the title last night.
Credit: Richard Sellers/PA Wire

He faced accusations of “quitting” when he lost to Joe Joyce in 2020 and this week Dubois walked out of two interviews as he looked to get back into the win column after losing his IBF title 11 months ago.

A second defeat to heavyweight kingpin Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley Stadium was followed by footage emerging of Dubois hosting a party at his house just hours before being taken out in the fifth round.

His trainer Don Charles, who Dubois fired and rehired since then, promised there would be no repeat of a pre-fight “gathering” after his charge was granted an immediate shot at winning another world title

- itv

WHAT A FINISH! | DANIEL DUBOIS VS. FABIO WARDLEY

 

FABIO WARDLEY VS. DANIEL DUBOIS | FULL FIGHT HIGHLIGHTS

 

FABIO WARDLEY & DANIEL DUBOIS ENTER THE CAULDRON

 

FABIO WARDLEY VS. DANIEL DUBOIS | WEIGH-IN

 

FABIO WARDLEY AND DANIEL DUBOIS GETS INTO A HEATED ROW OVER 'BINDMAN' COMMENTS

Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois will not need all 12 rounds in their heavyweight title fight. Photo: Queensberry Promotions

Daniel Dubois accuses Fabio Wardley of being disrespectful

Daniel Dubois (22-3, 21 KOs) addressed Fabio Wardley (20-0-1, 19 KOs) over his disrespectful comments during yesterday's final press conference in Manchester, ahead of their May 9 world heavyweight championship clash, "By the way, I heard you call me the dust man, and I'm gonna collect the trash, boy!"

During a fight week interview, the WBO world heavyweight champion was asked to assign Dubois an occupation in a playful scenario where he wasn't a professional boxer. Wardley guessed that he would likely be a binman.

Dubois did not take the comment well, "Na, it's disrespect, so I'm going to put it right in the ring, boy. I'm gonna bust his bubble anyway. That's what I've got to do."

Wardley replied back, "What did you say, dustman? I didn't call you the dustman. Someone asked me what you might have as a job and I said, 'He might be a binman'.

"There was no negative with that, don't let other people get into your head and tell you what it comes across like," Fabio advised.

Dubois interrupted him, "Na, I heard what you said. It's disrespect."

"You didn't hear it," Wardley quickly replied. "You didn't hear what I said because you don't run your own social media. So you didn't hear it. You let other people talk to you and tell you what you should be like. It wasn't like that. I just asked what job you might have and I said a binman. I didn't say it was a bad job."

A former recruitment consultant, Ipswich's Wardley is unbeaten in 21 contests and has won English, British, Commonwealth, two Interim world titles, and a WBO World heavyweight title, which is remarkable considering he had just four white collar bouts behind him and didn't start boxing until his 20s.

Dubois is the opposite to that, he has been boxing since he was a kid, had a stellar amateur career winning 69 from 75 bouts, collecting national and international titles. He turned pro to much acclaim after famously dropping the reigning IBF world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in sparring as a teenager. Promoter Frank Warren built him with the moniker #everybelt, which came to fruition as he currently has at least 14 titles in his trophy cabinet, which includes the WBA Regular and IBF World heavyweight titles.

Their collision this Saturday night in Manchester is set to produce fireworks with both explosive heavyweights sharing a powerful 95% HO ratio, hence why the event is called, 'Don't Blink'.

- Tim Rickson

WARDLEY VS. DUBOIS | SATURDAY MAY 9

 

FIVE BOXERS TYSON FURY COULD FACE BEFORE ANTHONY JOSAHUA FIGHT AS FRANK WARREN CONFIRMS PLANS

Fans could see Tyson Fury back in the ring before a blockbuster fight against Anthony Joshua later this year... but against who?

Tyson Fury is set to fight Anthony Joshua(Image: (Mark Robinson/Getty Images))

1. The heavyweights in the frame: Staying active: Tyson Fury has reportedly instructed Frank Warren to secure an interim date to avoid the ring rust that plagued his early rounds against Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It has been said that the Gypsy King feels that a second training camp this year could be essential for his mental discipline and physical conditioning before facing a revitalised Joshua.

2. Makhmudov rematch: A second bout with Makhmudov may remain a viable fallback option given the Russian's durability and the commercial success of their first encounter on Netflix. While Fury won convincingly on the scorecards, Makkmudov's early aggression provided the exact type of hair-raising moments that keep the public engaged.

3. Big Bang threat: Zhilei Zhang stands out as a highly feasible candidate because his southpaw stance and massive power would offer Fury the ultimate tactical dress rehearsal. Despite being in the twilight of his career, 'Big Bang' remains a top-tier gatekeeper whose involvement would draw massive international viewership and test Fury's defensive reflexes.

4. The Bakole challenge: Choosing Martin Bakole would silence critics who claim Fury is looking for an easy touch, as the Congolese giant possesses the engine and physical size to make every round a gruelling chore. The 32-year-old hasn't fought since his draw against Efe Ajagba in May 2025.

5. Joshua's risky tune-up: Anthony Joshua is set to face the Albanian Kristian Prenga in Riyadh on July 25, a fight that Frank Warren warned could "kill" the Fury bout if an upset occurs. Because Prenga boasts a formidable knockout ratio, the entire 2026 boxing calendar rests on Joshua successfully navigating this dangerous hurdle without sustaining an injury.

6. WBC interim situation: Agit Kabayel currently holds a position of power as the WBC interim champion, making a fight with Fury logically consistent for the governing body's rankings. A victory over Kabayel would allow Fury to walk into the Joshua fight as the undisputed focus of the WBC, removing any political obstacles regarding mandatory challengers.

7. British domestic clash: Fabio Wardley remains a dark horse for the interim slot due to his recent surge in popularity and his status as a fellow Queensberry-promoted fighter. A domestic showdown with Wardley - who faces Daniel Dubois next week - would serve as a perfect "Battle of Britain" appetiser, though some believe the risk of a domestic upset is too high for such a late stage in negotiations.

8. Timing and logistics: The proposed interim fight would likely need to take place in late summer or early autumn to allow for a three-month recovery and preparation window before the Joshua clash. This tight turnaround requires an opponent who is already in active training and ready to sign a contract without prolonged promotional disputes.

9. Saudi Arabian backing: Most of these potential matchups are contingent on the support of Riyadh Season, which has become the primary financial engine for the heavyweight division's biggest events. Regardless of whether the fight lands in London or Saudi Arabia, the organisers are keen to ensure both Fury and Joshua enter their final 2026 clash at their absolute best.

10. READ THE FULL STORY ON ANTHONY JOSHUA'S DIG AT TYSON FURY: Tyson Fury immediately takes dig from Anthony Joshua as two fights announced

- Fasika Zelealem

FABIO WARDLEY VS. DANIEL DUBOIS | COMING SOON 🔥

 

NETFLIX ANNOUNCES ANTHONY JOSHUA AND JAKE PAUL HEAVYWEIGHT FIGHT

Final talks are set to confirm a fight date for next month.

Richard Pelham/Al Bello/Getty Images

Summary

• Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul are reportedly finalizing a deal for a heavyweight boxing match to take place in Miami this December

• The highly anticipated bout is expected to stream exclusively and globally on Netflix

• The fight marks a significant step up in competition for Paul and a major comeback opportunity for the former two-time world heavyweight champion, Joshua

In a major development that would set the internet ablaze, Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul are reportedly finalizing a deal for a heavyweight boxing match to take place in Miami this December, streaming exclusively on Netflix. The highly lucrative bout comes after Paul’s scheduled exhibition with Gervonta Davis was recently canceled due to legal issues.

This fight marks a significant and massive step up in competition for Paul. He is set to challenge the former two-time unified world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua (28-4), who has not fought since his loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024 and recently underwent elbow surgery. The proposed event is a pivotal moment for both the fighters and the streaming giant. For the 28-year-old Paul, facing a legitimate heavyweight champion answers his critics and cements his controversial transition from social media star to professional boxer. For Joshua, the fight represents a massive payday and a high-profile comeback opportunity before a potential clash with Tyson Fury next year.

The battle is expected to stream globally on Netflix, capitalizing on the massive viewership generated by Paul’s previous fights, which have set streaming records for live sporting events. While details are still being finalized, a public announcement of the official December 2025 fight date from Netflix is expected soon.

- Joyce Li

OLEKSANDR USYK'S MOST LIKELY NEXT OPPONENT NAMED: "WE NEED TO DO IT"

Image credit: Queensberry

Oleksandr Usyk‘s next move is currently being decided.

The Ukrainian became undisputed heavyweight champion for the second time in July when he knocked out Daniel Dubois in the fifth round at Wembley Stadium to add his IBF belt to his WBC, WBA and WBO titles.

While that bout may have only taken place a month ago, attention immediately turned to who Usyk will face next, with the WBO ordering him to defend against mandatory challenger Joseph Parker.

Parker earned that right with victories over Martin Bakole, Zhilei Zhang and Deontay Wilder over the past 18 months, becoming interim WBO heavyweight champion in the process.

The two camps were given 30 days to negotiate before it went to purse bids, but Usyk has requested more time, citing the need to recover from injuries.

With no decision reached yet, and Saudi chief Turki Alalshikh declaring he doesn’t want the Parker fight next, fans have begun to speculate that Usyk may choose to vacate the WBO belt and instead take on another fighter, with the likes of Agit Kabayel and Moses Itauma mentioned as possible opponents.

Usyk’s Team Director Sergey Lapin has now provided an update, telling Boxing King Media that Parker still currently appears to be the frontrunner for the fight.

“We have the WBO belt, his first belt. We have rules. We need to speak with the team and next opponent is Parker. Is this fight not Saudi? We’ll see where we do it and the next step.”

Usyk’s first world title was the WBO cruiserweight belt in September 2016, before going on to become undisputed at both cruiserweight and heavyweight.

It means the Ukrainian may have some loyalty towards the governing body, but it wouldn’t be the first time that he has lost his undisputed status by vacating a belt, after doing so with the IBF title in 2024.Toby Morgan

- Toby Morgan

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OLEKSANDR USYK VS. DANIEL DUBOUS | HIGHLIGHTS